Southwest Iowa STEM Region

What is STEM?

STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. These disciplines are vital for all people living in today’s technological world. Whether managing the complex STEM-based decisions of daily life or pursuing STEM careers—science, technology, engineering and math are a part of your world!

Science, technology, engineering and math are the springboards to innovative problem-solving and discovery. Iowa is committed to growing the best STEM educational programming for every learner.

Iowa's STEM Initiative

Created in July 2011 by Executive Order 74 (and updated in July 2013), the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is a partnership of business, policy and education leaders from across the state convening to bolster STEM education and innovation and better position Iowa's young people and the state's economy for the future. The council is co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds and Kemin Industries President Dr. Chris Nelson. The executive director of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council is Dr. Jeff Weld. The state office is headquartered at the University of Northern Iowa.

Through a competitive application process, Southwestern Community College was designated as the "hub" of the Southwest Regional STEM Network in 2013, and renewed for three years starting in July 1, 2015. Each region is charged with promoting and implementing quality STEM programming throughout the state. View map of regional hubs.

The SW Hub at SWCC was recognized for five years as the HUB during the June 30, 2016 STEM State Council meeting. The recognition was accepted by Tom Lesan, SWCC Vice President of Economic Development and SW STEM advisory board member.

STEM Partner

STEM is a partner with the Iowa Workforce Development offices across Iowa. STEM supports the National Career Readiness Certificate testing program.

Scale-Up Programs

The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council has identified “Student Interest and Achievement” in STEM as its top priority. Providers are selected annually after a competitive vetting process.

Funding is available to bring programming free of charge to educators, community programs, STEM business partners and non-profits with an interest in promoting and implementing these nine STEM Scale-Up programs.

Scale-Up Program Applications

The application process occurs once per year. The urgency of bringing quality STEM programming to Iowa’s learners is reflected in the aggressive implementation requirements.

Please contact Deb Frazee, Southwest Regional STEM manager, if you are interested in joining Iowa’s statewide work in STEM programming.